Big Blue Crush blood drive begins at UK

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) — The rivalry between the University of Kentucky and the University of Tennessee continues past the field.

This is the 36th year of the Big Blue Crush blood drive competition between the two colleges.

The Kentucky Blood Center competes each year with the Medic Regional Blood Center in Tennessee to see which college gets the most amount of blood.

“The goal for this specific week is we want to beat Tennessee, so whatever that number is, but more to the point about what the tangible number. So we hope to have about 400 donors a day,” said Eric Lindsey.

This is an important event that happens each year on the week before Thanksgiving. The need for blood increases during the holiday season, so donating your blood is an important gift for many in need.

“Thanksgiving, like any other holiday, is a time when unfortunately because people are busy doing things, traveling, holidays which are understandable, they’re not coming in and donating blood, so Big Blue Crush is a chance to be proactive; let’s make sure we stock the shelves ahead of time,” said Lindsey.

The Big Blue Crush blood drive starts today and lasts until Nov. 17.

Below are the locations along with the times of the blood drive:

• Gatton Student Center | Ballroom A – Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• William T. Young Library | KBC Bloodmobile – Monday from 2 to 6 p.m.
• Buell Armory | ROTC Drill Room – Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• UK Lewis Honors College – Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you would like to donate blood, you can sign up on KBC’s website or by calling 800-775-2522. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Plus you get a Starbucks gift card, a Qdoba gift card and a free T-shirt.